CSU students secure prestigious rural scholarships

Charles
Sturt University (CSU) animal science student Ms Rachel Gawne is the joint
recipient of a major sheep industry scholarship - the 2017 Peter Westblade
Scholarship that promotes the practical skills associated with the sheep and
wool industry.

The
22-year-old CSU student (picture left) wants to empower producers to make management decisions
that benefit flocks and increase returns. Now entering its sixth year, the
scholarship will provide opportunities and in-kind support worth up to $10 000
over 12 months.

"I
am not off a farm but I have always had a love for agriculture and when I
discovered the sheep industry I knew that was for me," Ms Gawne said.

"The
scholarship will enable me to 'soak up' information on the sheep and wool
industry."

It comes as CSU
students across a number of programs including agribusiness, agricultural
science and veterinary science have been awarded a variety of prestigious
scholarships in recognition of their outstanding leadership qualities and
commitment to local communities.

Agricultural business management students Ms Aimee Bolton, from Wagga Wagga, and Ms
Emily Sinderberry, from Condobolin, have secured two of the five 2017 Angus
Australia Foundation Study Scholarships to support their studies in the beef industry.

Running
her own Red Angus herd, Ms Bolton wants to work in the meat science industry
within Australia as well as globally

Ms
Bolton said, "I believe that the beef industry has very much influenced the
person I am today, through the lifelong friendships and contacts I have made
and the travel opportunities it provides through junior shows, such as the
Angus Youth National Round Up."

CSU
student Ms Sinderberry began studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Business
Management through CSU online in 2016.

"I
have just advanced to full time studies through CSU online and I am looking
forward to contributing to the Australian beef industry on completion of my degree."

Of
the nine Rural Bank Scholarships awarded in 2017, four are from CSU. There were
136 applicants for this scholarship with organisers acknowledging the
significant jump in female applications for the scholarship program.

Rural
Bank Scholarships are valued at $5 000 and aim
to help each student to contribute to the Australian agricultural sector.